Rape and Sexual Assault in the U.S.

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There is an epidemic of sexual assault in our country. The CDC estimates that more than 1 million women are raped in the U.S. each year. Though one in five women will be raped in her lifetime, only 3% of perpetrators will ever serve time in prison. NOW-NYC’s Take Rape Seriously campaign works in partnership with survivors to rise up against a culture of rape and push for real reforms to improve the criminal justice system’s response to rape.

Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault

Drug facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) occurs when alcohol or drugs are used to compromise an individual’s ability to consent to sex. This occurs either when the perpetrator takes advantage of a victim’s voluntary use of drugs or alcohol or when the perpetrator intentionally forces a victim to consume drugs without their knowledge.

It is crucial that survivors have a SANE (sexual assault nurse examiner) collect urine and blood samples as soon as possible for testing, so that they have invaluable evidence in a court of law if they choose to report the crime to the police. It is recommended that a urine sample be collected from the victim if fewer than 120 hours have elapsed, and a blood sample if fewer than 24 hours have elapsed, since the incident.

Cases of drug facilitated sexual assault frequently involve alcohol, marijuana or cocaine, and are less likely to involve drugs, such GHB and rohypnol, though they are perceived to be mainly what is used in these assaults.

Rape and sexual assault also happens to younger girls at school, and there is evidence that the NYC public school system sweeps these acts of violence under the rug as well, especially when the survivors are young girls of color.

Rape in the Military

Sexual assault is a common occurrence in the military. Each year, thousands of servicewomen are sexually assaulted by fellow officers.

Rape in Prison

In 2003, the U.S. pledged to end rape in prisons. The Bureau of Justice estimates that 200,000 people are sexually abused behind bars in a single year. The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) calls for a zero-tolerance policy for rape in all prisons, jails and correctional facilities.

Rape at Work

“Rape on the Night Shift”

In addition to the already prevalent sexual harassment, rape also happens in the workplace. Immigrant women are especially at risk for sexual violence. Also, for those who are undocumented, the fear of having their status revealed contributes to a lack of agency and fear of reporting the crime or reaching out for help.

“Rape on the Night Shift” is “an investigation into how sexual violence against janitors often goes unreported and unpunished” divided into a three-part series.

Professional (social worker/psychiatrist) and custodial care providers in the mental health care field were victimized while working or on duty at rates more than three times those in the medical field.